Australia, the reigning ODI world champions, triumphed over England by 49 runs in a rain-affected fifth and final one-day international on Sunday, securing a 3-2 series win.
The decisive victory came after an enthralling contest at Bristol, where both teams traded moments of brilliance, but Australia ultimately emerged on top.
England seemed poised for a mammoth total, with opener Ben Duckett leading the charge with a masterful 107, his second career ODI century. Duckett, alongside captain Harry Brook, orchestrated a formidable third-wicket partnership of 132 runs in just 98 deliveries. England’s momentum was palpable, and at 202-2, they appeared set for a massive total. However, Australia’s slow bowling unit turned the tide dramatically. Travis Head, a part-time spinner, took center stage, delivering a career-best performance of 4-28. England’s batting collapsed, losing their final eight wickets for just 107 runs, leaving them all out for 309.
Australia’s response was ferocious. Openers Matthew Short (58) and Head (31) tore into England’s bowling attack, combining for a quickfire 78-run partnership in just over seven overs. As rain began to threaten, Australia had surged ahead, reaching 165-2 in 20.4 overs. When the heavens opened and the game was ultimately called off, Australia were comfortably ahead according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, sealing the match and the series.
Steven Smith, captaining Australia in the absence of the injured Mitchell Marsh, was unbeaten on 36 when play was stopped. Australia’s top order exploited a loose England attack that missed the sharpness of Jofra Archer, with Olly Stone failing to contain the aggressive Australian batsmen. Brydon Carse provided some relief, dismissing Head with his first ball, but it wasn’t enough to halt the onslaught.
England’s innings, after Steve Smith won the toss, began with Phil Salt’s explosive 45, including two consecutive sixes off Aaron Hardie. However, Hardie quickly rebounded, claiming Salt’s wicket and dismissing Will Jacks for a duck with a beautiful off-cutter. Brook, who had been the cornerstone of England’s resurgence earlier in the series, showed glimpses of his brilliance again, smashing a 39-ball fifty before falling to Adam Zampa, who deceived him with a clever slower ball. Zampa ended with expensive figures of 2-74, but his critical wicket of Brook shifted the momentum.
Duckett’s century, punctuated by 13 boundaries and a six, was a beacon in England’s innings, but his dismissal to Head shortly after reaching three figures signaled the end of England’s resistance. The visitors’ hopes of leveling the series were extinguished as Australia’s disciplined bowling and aggressive batting ensured a comprehensive victory.
